E. ThOi.lpson · 2017. 2. 3. · Calutron Operai:;j,on and Process Development Isoto:pe Chemis...

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Contract No. H-71~.05.l' eng. 26

OlU\: RIDGE NATIONAL LABOHATORY

STATUS MID PEOGRl!..:SS :REPORT

DeGembe:r: ~ 1950

tel. E. ThOi."lpson

COI)Y_~ Series A.

Date ISi:>u.ed; ~JAN 12 1951

OAK RIDGE NATImJAL LABORATORY operated by

CARBIDE AND CARBON CHEMICALS DIVIS+ON Union Carbide and Carbon Corporation

Post Office Box P Oak Ridge, Tennessee

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-OAK RIDGE NATIONAL LABORATORY

STATUS .AND PROGRESS REPORT

December, 1950

Distribution

iberson 1-3. J. 4. Information Division 5.

AEC Installations

6. 7. 8. 9.

10. 11. 12. 13· 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19.

H. A. N. E~.

C. E. G. T. A. B. L. J. A. R. K. H. H. D. E. O. F. L • H. W. F. H • W. H.

Blair Bradbury Center Felbeck Greninger Haworth Kaufman Kingdon Kinsey Lawrence Mohler Russell Spedding Zinn ~ /1

~f ~,

Oal~ Ridge National Laborator ~X

20. E. P. Bli~ard '/ 21. R. C. Briant I: 22. G. H. Clewett ,'," 23. W. K. Eister , 24. C. B. Ellis . 25. J. H. Frye, J::C, 26. W.' M. Hawkins l'f' 27 • A. Hollaend .u' 28. J. T. Howe ./ 29. C. P. Kei 30. J. A. Lale 31. C. E.

• W. D. ,vers ingston

• Lyon 33. R. 34. R.

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Oak Ridge, Oak Ridge, Wilmington

:S'ity of Rochester amos Scientific Laboratory

, lde and Carbon Chemicals Div. bide and Carbon Chemicals Div.

ranford Works Brookhaven National Laboratory M.I"T. Metallurgical Laboratory Knolls Atomic Po,~r Laboratory Carbide and Carbon Chemicals Div. Univ. of Calif. Radiation Laboratory National Bureau of Standards Battelle Memorial Institute Ames Laboratory Argonne National Laboratory

3 3 37. 38. 39. 40. 4l. 42. 43. 44. 45. 46. 47.

48-52.

M. Mann J. McAlduff·

Morgan Ramsey Shipley

A. • Snell F. Steahly J. A. wartout E. H. ylor W. E. mpson A. M. We berg C. E. Win F. C. Vond Central File'

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OAK RIDGE NATIOI~ LABORATORY

STATUS AND PROGRESS REPORT

December, 1950

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PROGRAM 1000 - RESEARCH FACILITIES .............................. Instrument Laboratory Building ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Research Laboratory Building •.••.•••••••••••••••••.•••••••• Isotope Research & Semi-Works Building .•.•..•••..•••.•.•... Health Physics Waste Research Building .....•••.•.•.••••••..

PROGRAM 2000 - SOURCE AND FISSIONABLE MATERIALS ••••••••••••••••• Purex Process ..•..•.••..•.......•••..••••..•...•••••••••.•• \-Jci,ste r.lett-:tl Recovery Plant •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

PROGRAM 3000 - vlEAPONS ......................................... 0 •

RaLa Development ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• U 236 Sepa.:ration •••.•••••.•••••••••••• • ••••••••• S~ecial Separations, General.......... • ••••••••• Target Damage • ' •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

PROG~i 4000 - REACTOR DEVELOPMEa~T ...••••.••••..••••.••••••• ~ •••

I,1A'.rr~'RIALS TES'J.llr~G REACTOR •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Mocl{up Conyers ion " ••••••••••.•••••••••••••••• MTR Test and Development ............................. . lv1TR Metallur-gy •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• /;. ••• 25 Process Design

HOMOGENEOUS REACTOR EXPERIMENT •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Experimental and Design Engineering for ERE ••••••••. Corrosion of Reactor Materials •••••••••••••••••••••• Chemical Processing of Homogeneous Reactor ~el ••••• Recombination of Hydrogen and Oxygen ••••••••• ~ ••• : ••

AIRCRAFT NUCLEAR PROPULSION PROJECT •••••••••••••••••••••••• ANP C~ntral Design ••••••.•••• "." .•.•..•.••••••.•••.. ANP Critical Experiments •.•.••••.•.•••••••••.••.•••. Induced Activities in ANP Pile Coolant .•.••••••••.•• Mechanical Design and Experimental Engineering •.•••• Heat Tr,.ansfer and Liquid Metals ••••••••.•.••••.•••.• L~quid··· Metals Research ••••••••••••.•.••••••••••••.••

. Shielding •.•••.. " ••••••••..•••••••••....••...•• " •..••

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-OAK RIDGE NATIONAL LABORATORY


December, 1950

Radiation 11!-

Fuel System for lUC;h 'I'cmp. RCf::l,cto:c LOI'l Melting li'luoride Systems •....•.•.•••.•• Suspensions of Uranium Compounds in NaOH ..•••••••••. 15

Li thium Isotope Separatj.on ...••.•.•..•.•••..•••••..... 15

PROGRAM PHYSICAL RESEARCH ........... '" ............................... III

PRODUCTION OF RADIOISOTOPES ........................ "" .......... . Radioisotope Production, Development and Operations ••••

S'.rAB!..E ISOTOPE SEPAR.i~,irIONS

Calutron Operai:;j,on and Process Development Isoto:pe Chemis tr::l .... '* ........................... " •

PniSICS •.•...••. ' ........................ . ......................... Neutron Diffraction ...................................... . LOvl Telllperatures • • . • .. .. • .. • • • • • • • .. • • • . . ...... . Short Lived Isomers .•..•..•...•• Short Period Activities Theoretical Physics ScintiLlation Spectrometry 'rhe Cyclotron •••••••..•••. The 63" Cyclotron Nitrogen Ion Source .......•. Isotope Physics and Spectroscopy

Atomic Spectra, ••••••.•••••••• Spectrochemical Analysis

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Spectroscopy ....•..••••.••••••••••...•..•••••• Nuclear Resonance ................................. ,. . Microwave ................................................ .

Source and Vacuum Laboratory ....••.•••.•.....•........

C:trE::t.,1IS'IRY ... ............. ,.,................................ ........ .. Chemistry of the Heavy Elements · ............ .. Nuclear Chemistry .•.•••••••.•••..•••••••. ..... " . Chemistry of Uranium Raw Materials Chemical Separation o:f Irwtopcs

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December, 1950

Page

ItiETllL'LURGY ~ ............. . ............... ............ .............. Thorium Research Materials Laboratory

Hafnium ................... Reduction ................. Physical Property Research

Zirconium . . . . . . . ... U02 .... .. ........

Fundamental Radiation and Physical Metallurgy MTA Target Development ...................................

PROGRAM 6000 - BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE ................................ BIOLOGY ........................... .. . . . . . . . .

Cytogenetics ••••••••..•••• Physiology and Pathology

. . .. .. .. .. . ..... . .....

PERSONNEL SUMMARY ...................... ,. .................................... '" .............. .

RADIOISOTOPE SALES ..................................................... '" ........... '" ... . GROSS OPERATING COSTS ...........................................................

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December, 1950

PROGRAM 1000 - RESEARCH FACILITIES

Instrument Laboratory Building

Work on this building is approximately 99% complete. Several items of laboratory equipment have not been received. Final inspection was made by'ORNL representatives Wednesday, December 13~ 1950. The date to be released for occupancy has not been determined.

Research Laboratory Building

Work on this building is approximately 6% complete. Concrete footings, columns, walls and grade beams are being erected.

Isotope Research and Semi-Works Building

Work on this building is approximately 4% complete. Footings, columns, walls and grade beams are being erected. Excavation is approximately 98% complete.

Health Physics Waste Research Building

The contract for construction of this building has been awarded to V. L. Nicholson Company; cbnstruction has not yet been started •

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December, 1950

PROGRAM 2000 - SOURCE AI{D FISSIONABLE ~~TERIALS

Purex Process (ABC Activity 2802-3)

Inactive chemical runs were started in the first and second column extraction cycles in the Pilot Plant. The operability of the process vras satisfactory 1-lith the exception of the high uranium loss in the strip column. Packed height of the strip column is therefore to be increased to correct this situation. In the l~boratory, the major ntut1y haG been cOl:":\cerned v!ith the substitution of hydrofluoric acid for ferrouG sulfamate as the plutonium-uranium partitioning agent. This study has indicated that the hydrofluoric acid is mOre efficient for the separation of the plutonium from the uranium and may make the use of a two cycle solvent extraction process more feasible.

Waste Metal Recovery Plant (ABC Activity 2802-2)

The installation of the process equipment in the completed OR~~ Metal Recovery B1J.ilding is now in progress.

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December, 1950

PROGRAM 3000 - WEAPONS

RaLa Development (AEC Activity 3670)

Several methods for improving the filtration of the barium sulfate precipitate have been proposed on the basis of chemical and eqUipment studies. Plant runs will be made during this month to check the effectiveness of the modified procedure. The development of the MTR Rata Process was continued in the laboratory.

u 236 Separation (AEC Activity 3670)

The first stage in the separation of U 236 from irradiated U 235 has been corapleted. Approximately 25 grams of uranium containing 33% U 236 have now been accumulated from a total of 38 runs. Preliminary tests are being made prior to the final stage of separation ..

Special Separations, General (AEC Activity 3670)

Construction of safe facilities for the processing of highly alpha-active materials for calutron operation has begun.

Target Damage (AEC Activity 9543)

The effects of high-flux thermal cycling on stainless steel, aluminum, and uranium are being investigated. A water-cooled uranium tube, bombarded for 107 cycles with a pulsed proton beam from a modified calutron source, developed a surface crater but did not appear to be melted. To avoid localized surface effects, eqUipment is being fabricated to test the samples by resistance heating •

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December, 1950

PROGRAM 4000 - REACTOR DEVELOPMENT

MATERIALS TESTING REACTOR

Mockup Conversion (AEC Activity 4229)

Conversion of the full-scale MTR mockup to a Lov! Intensity Training Reactor (LITR) is about 9510 complete. Start-up operations 'Hill begin during the early part of January.

MTR Test and Development (AEC Activity 4221)

Special, large-size stainless steel bolts for the aluminum to aluminum flange test have arrived and the last phase of the tests is under way.

MTR Metallurgy (AEC Activity 9541)

The beryllium machining at Y-12 has been completed except for a single piece which is no'" being redone. Graphite machining continues on schedule and is about 40% complete.

25 Process Design (AEC Activity 4582)

The manp0\>Ter assigned to the design of the Idaho Chemical Process area waS increased in order to maintain the program schedule. Little progress was made on the construction of the SF Storage Building due to the lack of steel which is now scheduled to be received during January. Hovrever, the design of this building is essential~y complete and the scheduled completion date is March, 1951.

In the Process Building, the concrete pouring was continued and it is expected that the major concrete work will be completed in three months. The cell arrangement drawings for all cells have been completed and the layout for the laboratory will be completed during the next month. Contractors for the fabrication of tanks and other process vessels were selected and the revievl of this shop drmfing will be started during the coming month. The majority of process, laboratory and office equipment for this building has now been placed on order. Design work has been started on the specialized equipment such as samplers, falling film

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evaporators, and filters.

The equipment to be installed in the Utilities Building has now been generally specified and design of the structural steel and concrete has proceeded to the point that orders have been placed. Orders have also been placed for the majority of the equipment in this building.

Design of the Waste Processing Building is in progress. A flowsheet of the underground facilities that will be required has been prepared and the design of the concrete structure for the underground storagetariks is being developed. Specifications for the waste evaporator have been established and transferred to Foster Wheeler for:design. The stack for radioactive gas disposal is now being deSigned also. Develop~ ment work is also in progress to establish a procedure for the decontamin-ation of the dissolver off-gas. .

HOMOGENEOUS REACTOR EXPERll-lEIlT

Experimental and DeSign Ellgineering for HRE (AEC Activity 4264)

The HRE Building i,as not completed on the contractual date of' December 21. As of the end of the month, the contractor reports that all materials are either noVT on hand or promised. The structural steel has been erected and the building is nm.)" compietely enclosed. There remains the matter of installing services to the building. Materials for the water and power lines have been delivered and are being installed. The present estimated completion date is February 1.

The forged steel pressure vessel has been inspected, pressure tested and found to be satisfactory. It will be shipped in January.

During the month of December, considerable trouble has been experienced with bearings of the Westinghouse pumps. Because of 'this, it is intended, as an alternate, to fabricate a vertical shaft pump of our Oi.rD design utilizing conventional bearings, shaft seals and an induction motDr operating in a helium atmosphere under pressure equal to the liquid being pumped.

The vortex in an 18-inch spherical reactor core vessel at 2500C and 1000 psi has been visually observed through special windows ,and found to be very similar to the Vortex observed at lower temperatures and pressures.

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Corrosion of Reactor Materials (AEC Activity 4264)

Long-term corrosion tests carried out in the absence of radiation to substantiate the results of earlier short-term tests and

indicate severe problems.

Sa .. mples of commercial titanium tested in UO, SOl~ solution at 2500 C and 1000 pounds pressure have shOi-ffi uniformly hi~ resistance to corrosion; hm·rever, titanium has a thermal neutron cross section of almost six barns.

It has been shown that D20 corrosion of the reflector vessel and system at 2000 C may be prevented by making the D20 0.01 normal .. lith trisodium phosphate. Under these conditions even the presence of peroxide does not increase corrosion.

Chemical Processing of Homogeneous Reactor Fuel (AEC Activity 4268)

The use of ion exchru1ge for the removal of the neutron absorbers from the homogeneous reactor solutions appeared to be feasible based on the radiation stability of Dowex-50 resin. The radiation stability of a number of inorganic ion exchange materials is being investigated and preliminary indications are that their radiation stability is superior to that of the Dowex-50 resin.

Recombination of Hydrogen and Oxygen (AEC Activity 4263)

The catalytic recombination of hydrogen and oxygen at high pressures has been demonstrated. Emphasis in the catalytic laboratory work has shifted from the charcoal supported catalyst to an alumina supported material. This should eliminate the danger of burning the catalyst if localized heating 'takes place.

Thein-pile experiment (using,platinum on charcoal) has been ,in progress approximately two .. leeks with encouraging results. A pressure of only 200 pounds above that of steam has been present during the run,thus far in conh'ast to several thousand pounds pressure usually encountered.

Consideration is being given to the design of a-large electrolytic cell capable of producing high pressure oxygen and hydrogen comparable to that expected to be formed in the ERE.

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STATUS PJ:ID PROGRESS n ,'d,U'",

December, 1950

AIRCRfLFT tTUCLEAR PROPULSION PROJECT·

AN~ Central Design (f~C Activity 4271)

A 200 ~l reactor design has been developed to serve as a starting point for design of the experimental reactor (ARE). The current design embodies a divided shield.

As a result of a literature survey carried out by Nuclear Development Associates, it appears that it may be possible to utilize small aircraft in tUg-tO\oT combination separated by a cable. In such an . arrangement 15,000 pounds may not be unreasonable for the shield weight. The feasibility of Supersonic Tug-tow Aircraft Reactors is being considered under the recently inftiated "Project STARI!.

AlfP Critical Experiments (AEC Activity 4272)

Uranium fuel discs are now being fabricated, the first 5% having been delivered already. Beryllium for the critical experiments is now being delivered. The overall critical assembly is about 85% completed and critical experiments are expected to be started about the first of February.

Induced Activities in ANP Pile Coolant (AEC Activity 4275)

The assembly for testing the electro-magnetic pump and flowmeter for liquid lithium should be in operation early in January. If the tests prove the equipment satisfactory, the in-pile test assembly can be com-pleted and put operation without further delay.

~echanical Design and Experimental Engineering (AEC Activity 4271)

The metR.t pump has been tested vlith water and found to operate 3a.tt:,factorily,; "rith liquid metals awaits completion of a "seal testerl! I,rhich i·Till insure that all seals are tight to liquid metals. Several thermal convection loops have now operated over 1000 hours vTl th liquid sodium at l200-l500oF. The "figure 8" loop failed at a 'veld dUring the final acid cleaning; it is now being reassembled.

Heat Transfer and Liquid Metals (AEC Activity 4275)

The heat capacity of NaOH has been determined, after revising the

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December, 1950

equ:Lpment to make the results more accurate. In the range 550-900oc i.:.he specific heat of lithium has been determined to be 1.0.:t 10%. Graphi te po,;rder has been fOUlld to be extremely effective in extinquishing litb.ium fires, 'whereas sand, vThich is effective for sodium, reacts with Li to f'orm a compound "Thieh reacts with and penetrates stainless steel.

The analysis of heat transf'er effects in non-circular ducts containing liquid metals has been completed in addition to an analysis of the effects near the entrance of' a paralled plate heat exchanger.

Some components have been procured for a system to determine the efficiency of natural convection in transporting heat from the interior to the wall of a liquid fuel tube for the aircraft reactor or ARE.

Liquid Metals Research (AEC Activity 4275)

The liquid metal corrosion work is being continued with emphasis on three proposed coolants: lithium, sodium and lead. At this time the procedures are being changed so the results will be of a more quantitative nature.

Compatability experiments have shown that some type of diffusion barrier must be used between beryllium and stainless steel in the ARE. Diffusion barrier materials under test are chromium, tantalum and molybdenum.

Preliminary investigations have been completed on welding small tubes into headers for the fuel system of the ARE. This was accomplished by a heli-arc welder. The material was dipped in thoria to help stabilize the arc.

~hielding (AEC Activity 4277)

The new Bulk Shielding Facility reactor became critical during the month and is at present undergoing preliminary adjustments and calibration. Flux distributions are being measured with fOils, and preparations are being made to measure power distribution from the rise in temperature of " coolant water.

The Lid Tank is still being used for determination of sodium activation

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to be expected within a region of B4C,

The duct experiment has been improved by the insertion of additional paraffin shielding between the Biology Division's radiation facility and the thermal column water tank. This has reduced the background appreciably and vnll therefore make the readings of neutrons more reliable.

RadiatiOn Damage (AECActivity 4274)

Cantilever creep work has been concerned with testing, refining and improving the heating and instrumentation so as to make absolutely certain that the tentatively reported increase in creep rate of 316 stainless steel under irradiation is an actual fact rather than an irradiation effect on one or more of the elements of the apparatus. A selfcontained tensile creep apparatus utilizing a short tubular specimen filled l"i th liquid sodium is being designed.

A study of high temperature thermal conductivity changes under irrD-5.iation has begun. Two designs ~for in-pile measurement of conductivity are now under consideratior. and will be built for bench testing. One of these designs is eA'})€cted to be used for in-pile ,-Fork. Electrical resistance and possibly other measurements may also be made in the pile with this equipment.

The Y-12 Cyclotron group has been working on the design of rotating targets to be used in the 8611 Y:"12 cyclotron for obtaining radiation damage information. A water cooled rotating target d~sign is complete. Design work is now in progress on a new system for installing and removing the target from the cyclotron. A high temperature rotating target design is expected to be completed within the next month or so, after which a low temperatUQ'e rotating target will be considered.

Sealing lithium in iron capsules has been accomplished by substitution of Globe iron for Armco. Two cyclotron bombardments have been attempted unsuccessfully at Berkeley. Work is in progress modifying equipment and another run will be made soon.

Liquid Fuel System for High Temperature Reactor (AEC Activity 4275)

Low Melting Fluoride Systems. Systematic thermal analysis of HaF-BeF2-'UF4 mixtures with special emphasis on those systems containing'

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10 to 20 mol percent of UF3 indicates that the required quantity of uranium may be contained in a volume of 2 cubic feet with thE" material completely molten below 550°C. Whether the melting point may be brought below 500°C is still not certain. Investigation of the system NaF-KF-UF4 , ,·rhi.ch 1ms ini tlated recently) indicates that melting points are somewhat higher than those obsel'vedidth the system previously mentioned. It is, hm-rever, possible that the temperature and volume requirements can be met with this material.

Suspensions of Uranium Compounds in NaCH. In attempts to prepare more stable suspensions of U03 in caustic, the effect of prior ignition of the U03 and of the temperature at which the suspension is actually prepared has been investigated. It appears that significantly more stable suspensions may be formed by igni t:i.on of the U03 to 350°C and by addition of this material to caustic 8.t 480°C. The material so prepared, houever, ·vrill not remein suspended without agitation. The optimum . conditions for preparation of the suspension have probably not been discovered. It does not seem likely) hOi-rever, that discovery of such conditions vill lead to major improvements in stability of the suspensions.

1,:1. th:LUtIl Isotope Separation (AEC Activity 11·275)

Desptte the generally favorable outlook for the electro-exchange proceBs of separating lithium isotopes) several important factors in plant and operation ho.'Je required study on a laboratory scale be-i'ore a })i10t plant program can be most effective. Of first importance is the measurement of the single stage separation factor and results of recent expertments by t"70 independent methods give a factor of 1. 0)+7 • The l~J:ldGS of error for this value have not been determined. .11. bett.er unde:cstrll1d'il1Q: 11a.5 also bee;,1 of the optj;mum equil)ment and conditions i'.:..'~:' ·vile cf .:Lithium hydroxide to form amaJ.gam, ·which must be extremely efficient for satisfactory plant operation and lml cost production .

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December, 1950

PROG~1 5000 - PHYSICAL RESEARCH

PRODUCTION OF RADIOISOTOPES

RadiOisotope Production, Development and Operations (AEC Activity 5111)

:rhe total accumulated Kvm for pile operation during December was 2,675,199 averaging 4003 KW per operating hour. This higher average power is directly attributable to the increased cooling air flow supplied by the nevI fans. Pile down time vras 10.2% as compared with 11. 6% during November. One ruptured slug was located and discharged without difficulty.

During the year 1950, five formerly vacant experimental holes in the ORNL pile were put into use and six others were converted to new uses. Also, a second general-usage pneumatic tube was installed.

The total number of radioisotope shipments during November vTaS 616, bringing the total number of shipments for to 8075, an increase of over 1949.

STABLE ISOTOPE SEPARATIONS

Calutron Operation and Process Development (AEC Activity 5121)

The Isotope Operations and Process Development groups are giving pr1.mary attention to development of a filament changer and methods for electrodepositing lithium, and isotope collections of vanadium, potassium, iron, and carbon. Experiments to develop methods of electrodepositing lithium' centered around the use of porous carbon anodes and the ,design of a cell to deposit the lithium in its final container to avoid handling or transfer. Tests are incomplete.

Potassium and vanadium COllections, begun in November, were completed during the month. Estimated total collections were 15.4 grams of potassium and, 11.4 grams of vanadium isotopes. By the end of the month, 46 grams of iron and 4.7 grams of carbon isotopes had been collected.

Isotope Chemistry (AEC Activity 5121)

Sample Summary

Samples, Chemical Refinement Completed Samples being refined, December 30

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Samples mrai ting refinement, December 30 13 Samples submitted for mass analysis 15 Mass Analyses reported by Assay Lab. 11 Samples in Mass Assay backlog 71 Isotope shipments made 28

The chemical refinement was done on the isotopes of carbon, potassium, rubidium, neodymium, chromium, calcium, indium and vanadium. The isotopes of rubidium were added to the inventory for the first time.

Research continues on the selective precipitation of rare earths by mandelic acid. It was found that the rare earths are precipitated selec~ ively by hydrolysiS of methyl oxalate. Research continues on organic compounds of zirconium and hafnium and on the reduction of lithium salts to metal.

PHYSICS

Neutron Diffraction (AEC Activity 5211)

The coherent and total scattering cross section of nitrogen have been found to be 9.1" and 10.3 barns respectively; their approximate equality shows weak spin dependence of the nuclear forces in this case.

Low Temperatures (ABC Activity 5211)

Hafnium has been found not to become superconducting in the range 0.16 4.20 K in contradiction with published results of others. Further investigation with hafnium of higher purity is planned.

Short Lived Isomers (ABC Activity 5211)

An isome+ic level in 05186 has been found which decays with a halflife of 8xlO-10 seconds.

Short Period Activities (ABC Activity 5211)

Internal conversion measurements on the 205 kev gamma ray from erbium (2.5 sec) indicate that the radiation is most probably electric dipole or quadrupole. This is in conflict with the observed half-life.

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Theoretical Physics (AEC Activity 5211)

The theoretically computed gamma ray widths associated with resonance capture of neutrons are found to be in reasonable agreement with observation if the radiation is presumed to be magnetic dipole or electric quadrupole. Electric dipole widths would be 105 times larger than vidths that are observed.

Scinti.llation Spectrometry (AEC Activity 5211)

By means of the coincidence scintillation spectrometer the decay scheme of iodine 131 has been conclusively established. It is essentially that of Kern, Mitchell and Zaffarano excepting for the addition of a 720 kv crossover gamma ray and the 810 kv beta transition to the 12 day xenon metastable state.

The 8611 Cyclotron (AEC Activity 5261)

The cyclotron has been operated experimentally at more than 20 Mev. ·At lover energy severaJ. kilovlatts of beam pover have been obtained. The well-focused beam melts the copper probe, vTater-cooled at'18 gpm. Dee-to-dee potential has been above 330 kv; replacement of the present tank grid vTith a vrater-cooled structure should permit increasing this potential to obtain stable operation at 26 Mev.

Reactions have been obtained from protons on the copper probe and on zinc and bismuth EA~osures have been brief and at reduced intensities in order to avoid melting these targets.

The 63" Cyclotron (AEC Activity 5261)

~·10del tests are being made for preliminary design of a 63" cyclotron to be operated in a Beta magnet in Building 9204-3.

Nitrogen Ion Source (AEC Activity 5261)

An ion source modified for the production of multiply-charged nitrogen ions produces 20 ma of NT~+ out of a total output of 170 rna.

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December, 1950

Isotope Physics and Spectroscopy (Me Acttvity 5261)

Atomic Spectra. Additional~vaveJ..eilg(;1:1 data on plutonium is being compiled ,vi th the aid of an automatic comparator reader. Calculation of wavelengths for several hundreds of plutonium lines per spectrum plate will be made by using a variable dispersion factor as determined from s·tandard iron lines. Several ne"l hollOYl cathode sou.rces(both liquid-air and water-cooled) have been tested using separated of samarium.

Spectrochemical Analysis. The determination of rare earths by the porous cup metho~ is being developed and will be applied to the determination of the trend and amount of separation produced in the chemical purification processes used by the chemical group.

':the f'ollovIing table summarizes the spectrochemical load for the month of December:

Type Sample

Solutions (NEPA & Al\J-p) Isotope (Including Misc.)

Totals

Number Samples

65

172

Number Determinations

297

2497

2794

X-Ray Spectroscopy. The Bragg Focusing Vacuum Spectrograph is being assembled to record the L spectrum of material from Mound Laboratory.

Nuclear Resonance. In cooperation with the Chemistry Division, most of the month was spent in the determination of the magnetic moment of' I-129~ A sample of I-129 was prepared at X-10. The sample contained 33 mg of iodine, approximately 80 per cent of which was iodine 129 in a weak solution of' 1~.8 ml of hydrazine, and 2 ml of D20. The signal to noise ratio of the iodine 129 vlaS appr'oximately 5:1, whereas the D2 resonance gave a 30:1 ratio. A preliminary value for the magnetic moment of 1-129 based upon the value 2.7935 nuclear magnetons for the proton as given by Taub and Kush (Phys. Rev. 75, 1481) and using our preliminary frequency ratio data gives a value of 2.617 n.m .

r

Microwave. The visual search system, employing 100 kc Stark modulation,

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December, 1950

has now reached a stage of high sensitivity. Appreciable gains in noise reduction were made.

Source and Vacuum Laboratory (AEC Activity 5261

The mass spectrometer is being used to evaluate the chemical separation of the rare earth elements. A report is being prepared on the synthesis of the volatile carbonyls, particularly those which will be of interest in mass spectrometer studies.

CHEMISTRY

Chemistry of the Heavy Elements (AEC Activity 5311)

Uranium(vr) from aulfate solutions ranging from 5 molar to 10-3 molar Was found to be very strongly adsorbed by anion exchange resins with adsorbability increasing as the S04= concentration decrease~. Us~ng tracer uranium, distribution coefficients of the order of 10 - 10 were shown to be attainable, making this system extremely promising fqr ion exchange separation of uranium from other contaminants. From work with a number of other ions, it appears that this reaction is highly specific for uranium •

The distribution coefficients determined are in agreement with the assump;tion that ur~ium is adsorbed as U02(S04)2=' and tentative values of the stability constants of the sulfate complexes have been evaluated from the data.

Nuclear Chemistry (AEC Activity 5311)

The utility of the Szilard-Chalmers reaction in the ORNL reactor has been investigated using KBr03 and a-maximum enrichment of the 32.9-hour Br82 to 20,000 times the specific activity of Br82 found in ordinary N-~ reactions was demonstrated. Practical enrichments of 100 are obtained readily by this method. It is believed that these findings may be of widespread future importance to the production of radiOisotopes in the graphite reactor. This work is described in detail in the reports OENL 814, 815 and 905.

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December, 1950

Chemistry of Uranium Raw Materials (AEC Activity 5361)

Amenability tests have been started on samples of Marysvale ore containing both primary and secondary uranium minerals. Successful recovery from a sulfuric acid leach liquor has been obtained by the uranous phosphate precipitation process, with 96% recovery in a product containing 94% U308 and low phosphate and vanadium. A study of uranyl fluoride complexes by means of spectrophotometric measurement has been started. Preliminary data give evidence for the association of fluoride and uranyl ions in ratios of 1, 2, and 4. A report has been issued, Y-673, on the phase equilibria in the four component system U03 - Na20 - CO2 - H20.

Chemical Separation of Isotopes (AEC Activity 5361)

The general effort on chemical separation of isotopes has been directed tmlard development of methods for molybdenum, nitrogen, and uranium. Batch equilibration studies on a molybdenum thiocyanate system are nearly complete. Preliminary examination has been made of a ferrous sulfate complex with nitric oxide which may be useful for nitrogen isotope separation. Experiments have been completed on the measurement of the temperature coefficient of the separation factor for the uranous cupferron system.

METALLURGY

Thorium Research (AEC Activity 5411)

Thorium produced by the iodide decomposition process has been remelted in a vacuum arc furnace and rolled into tensile specimens. These are to be used to check the yield point phenomenon found in Ames produced thorium.

Isothermal recrystallization curves have determined for pure thorium which had been cold worked for approximately 80% reduction. The range of temperature investigated was from 500 to 6000 c since previous 1-fOrk had indicated this to be the approximate recrystallization temperature. At temperatures of 550°C or higher the thorium recrystallizes in 15 minutes or less uhile from 500 to 5500 C times of an hour or more are required for recrystallization .

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Materials Laboratory (AEC Activity 5461)

Hafnium

a. Reduction. 11.2 pounds of the proposed 25 pounds of 98 per cent hafnium were shipped to the Westinghouse Atomic Power Division. The remaining 13.8 pound.s will be shipped early in January. Up to five pounds of crystal bar to be made from this 25 pounds of hafnium will be returned to this labort':;to:t'y fOT pilysical property studies. In addition, an II-gram section of hafnium was shipped to Brookhaven National Laboratory for research purposes.

b. Physical Property Research. Report y-696, "Density of Hafnium and Zirconium Metals", was issued during the month. The density of hafnium viaS determined as 12.62, a value close to the calculated value of 12.73. A report is in progress detailing work done on electrical resistivity of hafniuul and zirconium.

Zirconium. Hafnium-free zirconium is being produced for casting mortars and pestles for use by the uranium production chemistry group. These mortars and pestles have been reported as superior to all others tested from the contamination standpoint.

U02. Work on treating U02 in order to get particles in the 100--150 mesh range has been started. Solution of this vital problem will facilitate fuel rod fabrication for SIR.

Fundamental Radiation and Physical Metallurgy (AEC Activity 4540)'

The Physics of Solids Institute members began moving into the new Physics of Solids Institute Building 3025, on December 14, 1950. Further moving as ,fell as acquiring and setting up instruments and equipment will continue for several months.

Equipment for homogeneous shear of single crystals has been con-s'tructeo. and i:; being tested. The ,lOrk on the effects of irradiation on precipitation hardening alloys is being extended to other systems in addition to the copper-beryllium alloys. The effects of pile irradiation on the physical and mechanical properties of high purity metals is being studied. Stress-strain curves before and after exposure

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December, 1950

of copper crystals have been determined. Changes in density and electrical resistivity have also been measured. At present an attempt is being made to study the effect of irradiation on the degree of crystal perfection by the study of the Kikuchi lines observed from electron diffraction of single crystals and the X-ray reflection coefficients of various crystallographic planes.

MTA Target Development (AEC Activity 9543)

The latest thinking at California is that the target may consist of thorium cooled by NaK as the primary target and with uranium in the secondary target. The advantages of this arrangement are 1) cladding is no problem because the NaK requires a shielded heat exchanger and recycle, making it unnecessary to eliminate all fission products in the coolant,(2) thorium is a cubic metal, easily fabricated and (3) it is probably dimensionally stable to thermal cycling and radiation dmnage. Furthermore, a considerable amount of work on thorium and its alloys has already been done at ORNL. The extrusion of thorium and uranium tubes on a small scale has been demonstrated .

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December, 1950

PROGRAM 6000 - BIOLOGY AND l~ICINE

BIOLOGY

Cytogenetic~ (lIEC Activity 6400)

A compound which has given exceedingly good protection against radiation d.amage is BA.L (British Anti-Lewisite) . This compound is several times as effective as cysteine; it had been found previously to protect against arsenic and metal poisoning. A number' of non-sulfux' containing compounds have also been found to be effective in protecting against radiation damage. Their level of protection is almost as high as B.AL or cysteine. Some of these have very low toxicity, if any at all, for men and can be truten in fairly high ccncentrations. The mechanism of protection by non-sulfur compounds seems to be different from that of sulfur-containing ones. These findings open a promising field in radiation protection.

Physiology and Pathology (AEC Activity 6400)

A meeting of the group working on Operation Greenhouse was held in Oak Ridge and it was decided to bring all mice surviving the tests to Oak Ridge for observation on cataract formation and tumor production •

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PERSONNEL SUMMARY

Number of Employees New Hires Terminations December 1950 December December

Admininstration 78 3 0 Operations* 110 3 2 Engineering, Shops,

and Mechanical 905 19 1 Laboratory and Research 1127 33 27 Protection 176 9 0 Service 344 3 3

TOTAL 2740 70 33

* Includes Electrical Distribution and Steam Plant as well as the Operations Division.

RADIOISOTOPE SALES

Sales --Transfer within AEC Cash Sales' }!'oreign Cancer Program (Free) Technical Cooperation Plan

Total Sales and ,Transfers to Date

Total Cancer Program (Free) to Date

Technical Cooperation Plan (Shipments to Date)

-25-

Octoberz 1950

$ 365.10 40,369.19

581.85 _ 29,122.96

-0-

1,333,605.43

623,247.68

6,739.26

November, 1950

$ -0-31,351. 78 1,211.20

31,095.89 253.'78

1,374,702.

654,343.57

6,993.

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December, 1950,

GROSS OPERATING COSTS

(Including X-10 and Y-12)

(a) Actual Cost for November, 1950 Construction - Program "H"

Total Operating & Const. Costs

(b) Estimated Operating Costs for Dec., 1950

(c) Actual Accumulative FY 1951 O~erating Cost throu~h November, 1950

Actual Accumulative FY 1951 Construction Cost through November, 1950

Total Accumulative FY 1951 Construction and Operating Cost through Nov., 1950

(d) Estimated Operating Cost FY 1951 through December, 1950

-26--

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1, 81.J.o, 68,581

8,793,730

296,075

1,909,628

1,925,000

9,089,805

11,011.J.,805

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